How to transplant hydroponic plants? If you are a gardener and you are interested in starting a hydroponic garden, then one of the first questions you may have is how to transplant hydroponic plants? Well you have come into the right place! Read this article until end to know more about it. In this blog, we also have an article about best lettuce hydroponic growing system that you might want to read about it.
Can You Transplant Hydroponic Plants To Soil?
Yes, you can safely transplant hydroponic plants over to soil. Doing so requires care both during and after the transition to ensure the plant survives.
Many gardeners prefer a hydroponic system to start seeds so they can get a jump on their spring garden. Avoiding the mess of soil or growing mediums is why other growers prefer to start plants hydroponically.
Another reason to transfer plants to the soil is that some growers have large plants overtaking their hydroponic system. Moving plants outdoors or into a large pot allows them to continue growing.
Other growers may move plants over to soil pots so they can sell them. It’s best to take care when transitioning water-grown plants to the soil because of the dangers of transplanting shock.
You can’t transition plants directly from an indoor, water-based growing method to dirt, especially in a garden plot, as both the roots and plants need time to adjust.
Just as you need to harden off seedlings before transplanting them outside, you also need to slowly give your hydroponic plants time to adjust to the new growing conditions.
How To Transplant Hydroponic Plants
Step 1 – Decrease the amount of water available to your hydroponic plants
Reduce the quantity of water your hydroponic plants get a week before transplanting into pots. Reduced water availability forces their root system to grow longer, which aids in their switch to soil-based water.
Another reason to decrease the frequency of watering is because the roots will begin to toughen up. Plants cultivated in water have substantially thinner cell walls than plants grown in soil. When water-grown plants are immediately transplanted into soil, the roots are not prepared to look for nourishment in the earth, and the plant suffers or even dies from lack of nutrients.
Step 2 – Determine The Appropriate Pot Size
Before transplanting hydroponic plants into your garden, they must be moved into a pot for the transition period. It will take many weeks to harden off the plants enough to live outdoors, and having them in pots will make the process much simpler.
A container with a diameter of four to six inches is ideal for transplanting seedlings because it allows adequate area for the root system of a hydroponic plant to expand without colliding with the sidewalls.
Step 3 – Add Growing Medium To The Pot
When transplanting hydroponic plants, it is better to use loose potting soil or a soil-free peat mix. The growth medium’s adequate aeration, soft texture, and lightness allow roots to develop and toughen themselves without being pressed against their sensitive membranes by heavy dirt.
Before adding dirt to the pot, wet it equally in a separate container with water. Avoid soaking the potting mix, since this may result in root rot. Fill a container 3/4 full with damp potting mix and gently push down to provide a sturdy enough base for the plant to stand erect.
Step 4 – Create A Hole In The Potting Mix And Insert The Transplant
Make a hole in the middle of the pot with a spoon. Dig a hole deep enough and broad enough to accommodate the root ball of your transplant easily. You’ll want to fast transition plants from hydroponic water to soil, so prepare as many pots as necessary before you begin. Consider putting a sprinkle of mycorrhiza to each hole once you’ve prepared all your pots.
These unique fungus create a beneficial symbiotic interaction with plant root systems, allowing both to get the nutrients necessary for survival. The fungus extend tiny tendrils into the soil around the roots in order to absorb and break down nutrients, which the plant consumes in return for a portion of the carbohydrate sugars produced during photosynthesis. Because both the fungus and the plant thrive in these circumstances, adding this to your pots is suggested for increased transplant success.
Step 5 – Trim And Repot Your Plants
Trimming back part of the leaves and stems from the transplanting is beneficial. This alleviates the plant’s stress associated with providing water and nourishment necessary to maintain lush leaves throughout the soil shift. Clip no more than 1/3 of the plant’s leaves, since this may also produce shock. Leave seedlings with few leaves intact.
After cutting, remove the plant from its hydroponic garden and insert the root ball into the hole quickly yet carefully. Sprinkle dirt gently over the roots to fill the gap. Gently compress dirt around the stem to keep it erect, but avoid pressing down on the roots.
Step 6 – Keep Your Transplants Watered and Monitored
While your potting mix should be damp, immediately spray the soil of your transplants after putting them in the pot. Because hydroponic plants get a constant supply of water and nutrients, you’ll want to supplement the misting water with fertilizer.
Use around 1/4 the amount of fertilizer that the plant receives on a regular basis, and spritz the pots daily for the first week. It is vital to keep those roots wet to ensure success. After the first week, gradually reduce watering to once a week or less. As roots get tougher, their need for continual hydration reduces.
Step 7 – Begin The Transplant Hardening Off Process
Once your transplants are in the soil, put them together in a big tray and transfer them to a brighter location. Begin by placing them in a bright, sunny environment for several days. If you see drooping plants, move them away from direct sunlight and keep the soil wet. Then, during the day’s hottest hours, generally between midday and 1-2 PM, transfer the plants outdoors and bring them back inside overnight.
Extend outside time by two hours every day until they are used to both sunshine and temperature variation. If nightly temperatures are 50 degrees Fahrenheit or above, you may now keep them outside all day and prepare to transplant them into the ground or container planters. Take note of the flora. Do not worry if you see yellowing or dropping leaves.
Wilting or drooping plants indicate a lack of moisture, therefore maintain proper hydration. Outside, the wind and light rapidly dries up the soil, so keep a close eye on the situation. A plant will quickly perish if the roots are unable to access water, particularly a delicate hydroponic transplant.
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